Monitoring changes in feta cheese during brining by magnetic resonance imaging and NMR relaxometry

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and NMR relaxometry were used to monitor changes in feta cheese during 169 h of brining at 4.8%, 13.0% and 23.0% salt solutions. Image and relaxation data were acquired to study salt uptake and water loss due to dehydration of cheese during brining. Saturation recovery and Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG) sequences were used to determine the longitudinal relaxation (T₁) and the transverse relaxation (T₂) times, respectively. Signal intensities of T₂ weighted images decreased during 169 h of brining. An excellent linear correlation between the average signal intensity and the water content was obtained (R² = 0.984). The T₁ values of cheese brined at 4.8% were almost constant but T₁ values decreased for both 13.0% and 23.0% salt brined cheeses. Analysis of the CPMG decays gave relaxation spectra containing two components which decreased during brining. The short component T_2a was highly correlated with salt content (R² = 0.974). Results showed that NMR and MRI can be used to follow salt uptake and changes in water content in cheese during brining.     

Application of principal component analysis to chemical characteristics of Mahon cheese

 The chemical composition of the seven existing types of Mahon cheese, manufactured under the “Mahon” cheese Appellation of Origin, were studied. Of the cheeses, four were industrial (fresh, half-ripened, ripened and old-ripened) and three were traditionally manufactured (half-ripened, ripened and old-ripened). The chemical parameters were evaluated using ANOVA, Tukey’s multiple range test and principal component (PCA) analyses. Significant differences were found between Mahon cheeses ripened for different times in terms of moisture and non-protein nitrogen (NPN) contents (p <0.001); these differences were found to be independent of the manufacturing methodology, i.e. industrial or traditional. The ash and fat contents of industrially manufactured cheeses were significantly different from those in traditionally manufactured cheeses (p <0.001). PCA reduced chemical variables to two independent components: the first principal component was high in moisture, NPN content and water activity; the second, in NaCl, ash and fat contents. These results indicate that the seven types of Mahon cheese described by the “Mahon” cheese Appellation of Origin can be differentiated by their chemical characteristics. Received: 4 April 1997 / Revised version: 4 July 1997     

Use of principal component analysis to evaluate the physical properties of Mahon cheese

 The texture, colour and water activity of the seven existing types of Mahon cheese, manufactured under the Mahon cheese Appellation of Origin, were studied using eight physical variables. Four of the types are industrially manufactured [fresh (less than 10 days of ripening), half-ripened (2–5 months of ripening), ripened (5–10 months of ripening) and old-ripened (more than 10 months of ripening)] and three are traditionally manufactured (half-ripened, ripened and old-ripened). ANOVA, Tukey's multiple range test and principal component analysis (PCA) were used. Mahon cheeses from different ripening periods exhibited significant differences in water activity and yellowness values (P<0.001). PCA reduced the eight physical variables to two independent components, which accounted for 84.4% of the total variance. The first principal component (PC1) separated cheeses characterised by high water activity, high springiness values and slight yellowness from those with high hardness and puncture force; PC1 therefore distinguished among samples from different ripening periods. Cohesiveness, chewiness and gumminess were highly correlated in the second principal component, which could be interpreted as an index of cohesiveness. Received: 8 February 1999     

Differentiation and grouping of chemical characteristics of Mahon cheese

 Cluster analysis of cases (CAC) and variables (CAV) and stepwise discriminant analysis (SDA) were applied to estimate the usefulness of various chemical determinations for the characterization and differentiation of the seven types of Mahon cheese, four industrially manufactured (fresh, half-ripened, ripened and old-ripened cheeses) and three traditionally manufactured (half-ripened, ripened and old-ripened cheeses). CAV showed that, on the one hand, moisture, non-proteic nitrogen (NPN) and water activity measurements, and on the other ash, NaCl and fat measurements are very similar variables. Using SDA, it was possible to differentiate between industrially and traditionally manufactured cheeses by measuring NaCl and fat contents, and also between the four stages of ripening suggested by the "Mahon" cheese Appellation of Origin according to the moisture and NPN variables. Using classification functions obtained by SDA, 94.1% of cheese samples were correctly classified into traditional or industrial groups, and 89.7% of samples into fresh, half-ripened, ripened and old-ripened groups (jackknife validation). Received: 15 July 1997 / Revised version: 2 February 1998     

Proteolysis of low-moisture Mozzarella cheese as affected by substitution of NaCl with KCl

The proteolytic and ACE inhibitory activities of low-moisture Mozzarella cheese (LMMC) as affected by partial substitution of NaCl with KCl were investigated. Experimental LMMC were made and salted with 4 salt mixtures: NaCl only (control), 3NaCl:1KCl, 1NaCl:1KCl, and 1NaCl:3KCl, and then proteolytic activity and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory activity were determined. Salt treatment significantly affected angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory activity and phosphotungstic acid-soluble N of LMMC during storage. Water-soluble N, trichloroacetic acid-soluble N, lactic acid bacteria population, and total free amino acids were unaffected during storage. Nonetheless, water-soluble N and trichloroacetic acid-soluble N increased significantly during storage within a salt treatment. Peptide profiles and urea-PAGE gels did not differ between experimental cheeses at the same storage time.     

Proteolysis and textural properties of low‐fat ultrafiltered Feta cheese as influenced by maltodextrin

Maltodextrin was used as a fat replacer in low‐fat ultrafiltered cheese. Fat was replaced with 25% maltodextrin milk solution (w/w) in cheese at 15 and 50% (w/w). The chemical, rheological and sensory properties as well as the microstructure of the cheese samples were evaluated after storage for 2 months at 8 °C. Maltodextrin affected the chemical (pH, dry matter, fat, water‐soluble nitrogen to total nitrogen, nonprotein nitrogen to total nitrogen, total free amino acid) and rheological (mean relaxation time) properties, as well as the microstructure. In general, based on textural properties, sensory evaluation and economic aspects, the 50%‐fat‐reduced sample was selected as the best treatment.     

Instrumental and Expert Assessment of Mahon Cheese Texture

ABSTRACT: To improve Mahon cheese texture assessment, the relationship between instrumental and sensory measurements was sought. For that purpose 30 pieces of Mahon cheese from different batches and 2 different manufacturers were examined. Textural characteristics at different curing times were evaluated by uniaxial compression, puncture, and sensory analysis. Significant linear correlations were found between instrumental and sensory measurements. A logarithmic model (Weber-Fechner) fitted data better than a linear one. Only 1 factor was extracted when considering all the instrumental and sensory variables, thus indicating that both sets of measurements are related to the same phenomenon. The best predictors for Mahon cheese sensory attributes were found to be cheese moisture, deformability modulus, and slope in puncture.     

Proteolysis in ultra-filtered and conventional Iranian white cheese during ripening

Conventional and ultra-filtered (UF) Iranian white cheeses were made with almost identical gross chemical composition and the extent and characteristics of proteolysis were studied during ripening. UF cheeses exhibited a lower rate of development of pH 4.6-soluble nitrogen than conventional cheeses. The rates of degradation of α_s1-casein and particularly β-casein were lower in UF cheeses than in conventional cheeses. Plasmin activity was lower in UF cheeses than that in conventional cheese, whereas coagulant activity was higher in the former. Noticeable qualitative and quantitative differences were observed in reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) peptide profiles between UF and conventional white cheeses and chemometric analysis of peak height data distributed the cheeses into two separate groups. The levels of free amino acids in UF cheeses were lower than in conventional cheeses. Lower peptide degradation and production of amino acids suggested slower ripening, which may have been associated with the weak aroma development characteristic of UF cheeses.     

Some properties of urfa cheese (a traditional white-brined Turkish cheese) produced from bovine and ovine milks

In this study, the basic composition and ripening profile of traditional urfa cheese made from ovine and bovine milks were investigated. While cheese made from ovine milk had higher total solids, fat-in-dry matter and total nitrogen, the titratable acidity, salt-in-dry matter, pH, total mesophilic colony count and total yeasts and moulds counts were found to be close to each other. During storage, whilst the total solids content of cheese produced from ovine milk gradually decreased, the variation in the total solids content of cheese made from bovine milk was found to be insignificant. The salt penetration into the cheeses was rapid during the first two weeks of ripening, and it continued to diffuse into the samples throughout storage. Proteolysis developed faster in the cheese made from ovine milk than in cheese of bovine milk. The former sample had higher water soluble nitrogen, nonprotein nitrogen, phosphotungustic acid soluble nitrogen, Proteose-peptone nitrogen and tyrosine levels throughout storage, and the ripening index was higher as well.     

Proteolysis texture and microstructure of low‐fat Tulum cheese affected by exopolysaccharide‐producing cultures during ripening

The objective of the study was to determine the effects of exopolysaccharide (EPS)‐producing or non‐EPS‐producing starters on proteolysis, physical and microstructural characteristics of full‐fat or low‐fat Tulum cheeses during ripening. For this purpose, Tulum cheese was manufactured using full‐ or low‐fat milk with EPS‐producing and non‐EPS‐producing starter cultures. Chemical composition, proteolysis, texture profiles and microstructure of the cheeses were studied during 90 days of ripening. Urea‐PAGE of water‐insoluble and RP‐HPLC peptide profiles of water‐soluble fractions of the cheeses showed that the use of starters resulted in different degradation patterns in all cheeses during ripening. Although β‐casein exhibited similar degradation patterns in all cheeses, small differences are present in α_s1‐casein degradation during ripening. Reducing fat in Tulum cheese changed the RP‐HPLC peptide profile of the cheeses. The use of EPS‐producing cultures improved the textural characteristics and changed the microstructure and proteolysis of low‐fat Tulum cheese.     

Effect of acoustic brining on the transport of sodium chloride and water in Mahon cheese

The effect of acoustic brining on mass transfer during brining and ripening of Mahon cheese was investigated. Salt-in-moisture profiles of acoustically and conventionally brined cheeses subjected to different times of pressing (60, 110, 130, 145 min) prior to brining were compared. Acoustically brined cheeses exhibited greater concentrations of salt-in-moisture than those brined conventionally. The increase in sodium chloride content due to the application of ultrasound was more important as the pressing time increased. The magnitude of this improvement ranged from 5 % for cheeses pressed for 60 min to 16% for cheeses pressed for 145 min. Water transport during ripening was affected by the type of brining: acoustically brined cheeses presented a lower effective water diffusivity (3.57᎒^⪟ m²/s) than those brined conventionally (4.04᎒^⪟ m²/s). However, profile evolution of salt-in-moisture during ripening showed that an even distribution was reached at the same stage for both types of brining treatment.     

Proteolysis development in enzyme-modified Cheddar cheese using natural and recombinant enzymes of Lactobacillus rhamnosus S93

Proteolysis in enzyme-modified cheese was investigated with natural crude enzyme or recombinant aminopeptidase, both derived from Lactobacillus rhamnosus S93 in the presence of a commercial proteinase, Neutrase. For production of enzyme-modified cheeses, a cheese slurry was produced and pre-incubated with Neutrase. Natural enzyme or recombinant aminopeptidase (50 units 200 g⁻¹ slurry) was added alone or in combination to the cheese slurries, which were then incubated anaerobically under vacuum at 37 °C for 1, 3 and 6 d. The greatest levels of phosphotungstic acid soluble nitrogen and free amino acids were observed in the enzyme-modified cheese containing natural enzyme followed by the one treated with a combination of the natural enzyme and recombinant aminopeptidase. The enzyme-modified cheese containing the recombinant aminopeptidase alone resulted in the complete disappearance of proline after 1 d of maturation time.     

Proteolysis in miniature Cheddar-type cheeses made using blends of chymosin and Cynara cardunculus proteinases as coagulant

Miniature (20 g) Cheddar-type cheeses were manufactured using blends of Cynara cardunculus proteinases and chymosin as coagulant (100 : 0, 50 : 50, 25 : 75 and 0 : 100 C. cardunculus proteinases : chymosin). There were no substantial differences between the compositions of cheeses made using any of the four coagulant blends. Cheeses manufactured with coagulant blends containing C. cardunculus proteinases exhibited higher levels of pH 4.6-soluble nitrogen than cheese made using chymosin as coagulant. The extent of breakdown of α _s1 -casein, as measured by urea-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (urea-PAGE), was greater in cheeses made using coagulant preparations containing C. cardunculus proteinases as a constituent than in cheese made using 100% chymosin as coagulant. Different reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) peptide profiles of the ethanol-soluble and -insoluble fractions were obtained for cheeses made using either C. cardunculus proteinases or chymosin as coagulant. Principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis of RP-HPLC data confirmed that the inclusion of even small proportions (25%) of C. cardunculus proteinases with chymosin in the coagulant blend greatly altered the pattern and extent of proteolysis in miniature Cheddar-type cheeses.     

Textural and microstructural properties of urfa cheese (a white-brined Turkish cheese)

The texture and microstructure of white-brined cheeses similar to urfa (a traditional Turkish cheese) were studied. One batch of cheeses was made in the traditional manner and one batch was made from ultrafiltered (UF) milk. Samples from each batch were either ripened in brine after production or scalded in whey for 3 min at 90°C prior to ripening. The results showed only marginal differences in the ripening profiles of both batches of unscalded cheeses, but scalding slowed down the extent of proteolysis in both batches. The scalded cheeses had a firmer texture than the unscalded ones, and the unscalded UF cheese had a more 'springy' body than the unscalded traditional cheese. Overall, scalding resulted in a more homogeneous structure, but the unscalded UF cheese had a close texture that resembled the scalded samples. It was concluded that, with respect to texture and structure, cheeses made with UF milk do not need to be scalded after production.     

Fatty acid and sensory profiles of Caciocavallo cheese as affected by management system

The effect of season of the year associated with changes in feeding and management system (pasture-based vs. confinement) on milk and cheese fatty acid profile and on sensory properties of Caciocavallo cheese was evaluated on 3 mountain dairy farms. Each farm used a pasture-based feeding system from April to June and from September to October (PS), and a confinement system for the rest of the year (CS). As a consequence of grazing, PS milk showed higher percentages of C18:3, cis-9,trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid, and trans-11 C18:1, and a reduced percentage of C16:0. The fatty acid profile of cheese largely reflected that of the corresponding raw milk from which cheese was made. This led to a significant decrease of atherogenic index in cheeses produced from cows on pasture. Based on sensory analysis, cheese from animals kept on pasture was more yellow and had a lower intensity of butter and smoked odors than did CS cheese. In addition, grazing induced a lower intensity of bitter and a higher intensity of spicy flavors compared with cheese from CS animals. In regard to texture, pasture feeding resulted in higher intensity of friability and graininess. All cheeses performed well in consumer tests; the panel found all samples more than acceptable for overall liking, and for liking according to appearance, taste/flavor, and texture. Overall liking of Caciocavallo cheese, as assessed by slope analysis, was affected primarily by taste/flavor (raw slope k = 0.88) and texture (k = 0.97), whereas appearance had a lesser effect (k = 0.72). The acidic and sensory profiles of cheese were well discriminated, with healthier cheeses produced by grazing cows. Therefore, wider use of pasture should be promoted to accentuate this favorable feature. Based on the specific nutritional and sensory characteristics of mountain Caciocavallo cheese, particularly that obtained from grazing animals, efforts should be made to indicate the quality of this cheese to the consumer and improve product recognition.     

Relationships between proteolytic and lipolytic activity and sensory properties (taste–odour) of traditional Turkish white cheese

Protein and lipid changes and their effects on the sensory properties (taste–odour) of Turkish white cheese were studied. Mean values for the chemical properties of white cheese were: total solids (TS) 44.39 g/100 g; titratable acidity 2.15% (as lactic acid); pH value 4.50; fat-in-dry matter 47.80 g/100 g; salt-in-dry matter 8.65 g/100 g; total nitrogen (TN) 2.50 g/100 g; water-soluble nitrogen (WSN) 0.48 g/100 g; ripening index (RI) 18.98%; tyrosine 65.00 mg/100 g; acid degree value (ADV) 385.96 mg KOH/100 g fat; volatile fatty acids (VFA) 15.54 mL 0.1 N NaOH/100 g and total free fatty acids (TFFA) 1325.96 mg/100 g cheese. Sensory scores for taste and odour were 23.67 (out of 35) and 8.28 (out of 10), respectively. The chemical qualities of the cheeses, including acidity, dry matter, fat-in-dry matter and VFA had an effect on flavour ( P  < 0.05).     

Primary and Secondary Proteolysis in Eleven Turkish Cheese Varieties

Levels of proteolysis of 75 samples belonging to 11 Turkish cheese varieties, including Civil, Canak, Dil, Divle Tulum, Ezine, Hellim, Malatya, Mihalic, Orgu, Urfa, and Van Otlu, were comparatively studied. The cheeses were mainly produced using traditional methods; however, some varieties were industrially produced. Chemical composition and the levels of soluble nitrogen fractions of the cheeses varied depending on the cheese variety. Gel electrophoresis of the cheeses showed that the samples presented different gel patterns with α_s1-casein being extensively degraded in many cheeses; whereas the hydrolysis of α_s1-casein in Malatya and Hellim was observed to be limited. Peptide profiles by RP-HPLC of the water-soluble fractions were largely different for many of the samples, but some similarities were visualized. Multivariate analysis of the RP-HPLC data grouped the cheeses according to their peptide profiles. The results suggested that each variety of cheese had different levels of proteolysis. The manufacturing technique and ripening conditions employed have played a determinative role on the proteolytic patterns of the cheeses analyzed.     

Characteristics of traditional Croatian ewe's cheese from the island of Krk

Krk cheese is a hard, full-fat cheese made from raw sheep's milk, characterized by a delicate, full and strong flavour. The aim of this study was to determine farm influence on the chemical composition of sheep's milk for Krk cheese production, and the chemical characteristics of Krk cheese during ripening. Gross composition of the milk used complies with the average sheep's milk composition from the Croatian Adriatic region. During ripening, fat, protein, salt content and lactic acid concentration increased ( P <  0.01), as well as the water-soluble nitrogen fraction and the 12%-trichloroacetic-acid-soluble nitrogen fraction ( P <  0.05). Degradation of β-casein could be an indicator of the ripening quality of Krk cheese.